In recognition of National Healthcare Decision Week, Griffin Hospital will be promoting awareness of the importance of healthcare planning and of having an advance directive. This year’s theme is “It’s always too early, until it’s too late.”

Advance care planning (ACP) is a process of understanding, reflecting, and discussing individual goals and values to determine one’s overall wishes should a time come when one cannot make one’s own medical decisions and is unlikely to recover from an injury or illness. ACP is the best way to make sure your healthcare wishes are respected by your loved ones and health providers.

“As adults, we make many choices throughout life,” said Diane Betkoski, MS, RD, director of Planetree Programs and Services at Griffin Hospital. “Most often the best choices are made as a result of good planning, such as career planning, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and especially healthcare or end of life planning. Advance care planning gives comfort and reassurance to one’s healthcare representative knowing that he or she clearly understands one’s end-of-life preferences.”

For additional information or to schedule a free appointment contact Community Outreach & Parish Nursing at 203-732-1255 or ACP@griffinhealth.org, or visit griffinhealth.org/acp.